Family, fellow actors bid farewell to iconic actor Choi Bool-am

A funeral service was held on Monday for the renowned actor Choi Bool-am, who was celebrated for his portrayal of paternal figures in popular television dramas. Choi, whose birth name was Choi Young-han, passed away on Thursday while receiving medical care at a hospital in western Seoul at the age of 87. His wife, Kim Min-ja, also an accomplished actor, was visibly emotional during the private funeral service at Asan Medical Center in southeastern Seoul.

Kim was joined by fellow actress Kim Hye-soo, who had remained with Choi's grieving family since the start of the commemorative events.

Notable actors Song Il-kook and Shin Hyun-joon also attended the service. A funeral Mass is scheduled to be conducted at a cathedral in western Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, who was the former archbishop of Seoul. Later that day, a farewell gathering will take place at the headquarters of the Chorogusan for Children foundation, where Choi had dedicated himself for many years to advocating for the rights of children and young people. The late actor will be laid to rest at a memorial park in Paju, located in the north.